Savannah Morning News | Julia Mullerhttp://savannahnow.com/sms/taxonomy/term/147153/
enSt. Patrick’s Day: Parade Chronologyhttp://savannahnow.com/st-patricks-day-guide/2013-02-25/st-patrick-s-day-parade-chronology
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/6384658_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="186" /></div><p><strong>1812</strong>: Hibernian Society of Savannah formed by 13 Irish Protestants to help needy Irish immigrants.</p>
<p><strong>March 17, 1813</strong>: First private observance of St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah by the Hibernians.</p>
<p><strong>March 17, 1818</strong>: Parade by the “Fencibles” (defense force), an unidentified group.</p>
<p><strong>March 17, 1824</strong>: First public procession by the Hibernian Society.</p>
<p><strong>1830</strong>: First time no parade was held. The Hibernians did meet and hold their annual meeting. No reason was given, but it was also the year that the Roman Catholic Church purchased property bounded by McDonough St. (N), Floyd St. (E), Perry St. (S), and Drayton St. (W). Construction was then begun on the “Church of St. John the Baptist.”</p>
<p><strong>1833</strong>: The parade is held on Monday the 18th, as Sunday was the 17th.</p>
<p><strong>1836</strong>: The Church of St. John the Baptist is completed. It is located on the corner of Drayton and Perry. It was formally dedicated in 1838.&nbsp;(Note: The present church was built beginning in 1873 in its present location and dedicated in 1876.)</p>
<p><strong>1841</strong>: A new organization joined the parade: The Savannah Catholic Temperance Society. The society only appeared this one year.</p>
<p><strong>1842</strong>: The U.S.S Falmouth was in port at Tybee. This is the first appearance of the U.S. Navy in a parade. This is also the year that the Irish Jasper Greens were formed.</p>
<p><strong>1844</strong>: The Irish Jasper Greens march for the first time. And since the 17th was a Sunday, the observance was held on Monday.</p>
<p><strong>1847</strong>: The Irish Union Society was formed and held the parade. The Hibernians gathered funds and donations for Ireland as it was in the midst of the Great Potato Famine.</p>
<p><strong>1848</strong>: Michael Finney and Henry James serve as the first parade marshals.</p>
<p><strong>1853</strong>: The parade was held despite torrential rains that had turned the streets to ‘muck.’</p>
<p><strong>1854-55</strong>: These years, the city was suffering from a Yellow Fever epidemic. Although many Irish were taken, the parades were still held.</p>
<p><strong>1856</strong>: The parade was held on March 24. It was deferred out of respect for Holy Week and Easter on March 23.</p>
<p><strong>1861</strong>: Although secessions had already occurred and war was nigh, the Irish marched.</p>
<p><strong>1862</strong>: Civil War raging. It was the second time no parade held. Notices indicate that the Irish Jasper Greens and the Irish Volunteers were fighting.</p>
<p><strong>March 18, 1863</strong>: At Liberty and West Broad St. (now Martin L. King Blvd.) St. Patrick’ Church’s cornerstone was dedicated.</p>
<p><strong>1864</strong>: Civil War raging. The third time the parade was not held.</p>
<p><strong>1865</strong>: As Savannah had been presented as a Christmas present to President Abraham Lincoln in December 1864, a parade was held though it appears it was not sponsored or organized by the Hibernians or any other local group. Those met but did not march. There is also a record of hostilities breaking out as the newly freed blacks wanted to observe the parade but were beaten back by whites. It was also noted that black troops marched in the parade that year and were ‘sneered at’ by attendees.</p>
<p><strong>1867</strong>: No parade held because the 17th fell on a Sunday though the Irish Union Society went to mass and the Hibernians held their meeting later in the week.</p>
<p><strong>1870</strong>: The inception of the office of “Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah.” The office came about as there were several organizations that participated and all had their own marshal. Those marshals formed a committee that would act on behalf of their respective organizations in preparing for the day. The chairman of the committee was given the title “Grand Marshal.” John Feely of the Hibernians was the first.</p>
<p><strong>1875</strong>: Celebration had two grand marshals, James D. Reynolds for the procession to the church and Michael J. Doyle for the parade. In addition, the first units that could be classified as floats were entered.</p>
<p><strong>1877</strong>: Previous years had shown more and more participates but this year, only a couple of units marched. The summer of 1876 was host to another Yellow Fever epidemic. The disease took a good many of the various societies member, sobering the celebration.</p>
<p><strong>1882</strong>: Celebration was held to dedicate the new St. Patrick’s Church. The church was located on the Southeast corner of West Broad (now Martin L. King Blvd.) and Liberty St. It was demolished in 1941.</p>
<p><strong>1888</strong>: The Sgt. William Jasper Monument in Madison Square is unveiled and dedicated in February. President Grover Cleveland was invited to the dedication but only spent about an hour in the city.</p>
<p><strong>1892</strong>: The Savannah Morning News was printed in green ink for the celebration.</p>
<p><strong>1894</strong>: A group known as “Middleton’s Cornet Band,” Middleton’s Military Band,” or simply “Middleton’s Band,” composed of black musicians, joined the parade. They would be a featured group over the next 20 years.</p>
<p><strong>1897</strong>: The Savannah Morning News was printed on green paper.</p>
<p><strong>1899</strong>: Joseph F. Doyle serves as Grand Marshal for the fifth year in a row.</p>
<p><strong>1903</strong>: 25 cadets from Benedictine Military School join the parade, starting a tradition that continues.</p>
<p><strong>1905</strong>: Dignitaries begin riding in carriages.</p>
<p><strong>May 1912</strong>: President William Howard Taft was invited for the parade and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Hibernian Society, but unable to participate. He does attend the Hibernian banquet, which was rescheduled to accommodate him.</p>
<p><strong>1913</strong>: A public parade is not held for the fourth time. The date fell during Holy Week. Rather than postpone the parade, none was held although the various Irish groups did meet.</p>
<p><strong>1918</strong>: As the U.S. had entered World War I, the parade not held, but the Hibernians marched to Mass. It was the fifth time there was no parade.</p>
<p><strong>1920</strong>: The Grand Marshal, Captain John A. Dailey and his aides rode horses at the head of the parade.</p>
<p><strong>1921</strong>: No parade held in respect for Irish revolution being fought. It was the sixth and last time. The various organizations meet and march to St. Patrick’s but they are dismissed and the day passes quietly.</p>
<p><strong>1922</strong>: Over 1,000 marchers participate with the flag of the Irish Republic making its debut.</p>
<p><strong>1926</strong>: St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee formed.</p>
<p><strong>1927</strong>: As the parade committee had formed the year before, the first adjutant, Daniel J. Sheehan, was appointed.</p>
<p><strong>1928</strong>: Rain forced the early dismissal of marchers.</p>
<p><strong>1931</strong>: J. Joseph Doolan was the last parade marshal to head the parade on horseback. From this point, the grand marshal would ride in an automobile.</p>
<p><strong>1937</strong>: A bit of a kerfuffle occurred when the parade committee could not agree on a grand marshal. The seven were split 4-3. It was decided that 4 was a quorum. Only the 4 showed up at the meeting to elect the marshal, declared themselves a quorum, and made their selection. The announcement appeared in the paper the next day, surprising the other members. Bishop Gerald O’Hara was asked to be the arbitrator and declared Thomas J. Fogarty the marshal, the quorum’s choice.</p>
<p><strong>1938</strong>: The first year the U.S. Marine Band from Parris Island participated. (Note: the band’s appearance was continuous until 1973 when the parade committee forgot to issue an invite.)</p>
<p><strong>1939</strong>: The last parade with participation of the Marist School for Boys Drum and Bugle Corps. The school was merged with St. Vincent’s Grammar School to form Cathedral Day School.</p>
<p><strong>1940</strong>: The first year the observance moved to Saturday when the 17th fell on Sunday. The 17th was Palm Sunday so the committee opted to avoid the Holy Week issue by celebrating the Saturday before.</p>
<p><strong>1941</strong>: The first time Mass was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. St. Patrick’s Church had been closed, the parish merged with Cathedral, and the church demolished.</p>
<p><strong>1942-1945</strong>: While World War II was fought, the parade and observance was held but was scaled back. No Marshals were selected during these years.</p>
<p><strong>1946</strong>: With the war over, the mass and parade resumed the normal routine.</p>
<p><strong>1947</strong>: The parade committee forgot to obtain a parade permit from the city, breaking an ordinance. Mayor John G. Kennedy declared that the city would overlook the faux pas this once. One other thing of note was the lack of participation by Irish organizations.</p>
<p><strong>1949</strong>: For the first time, former Grand Marshals were given a spot near the front of the parade, which was also beginning to overlap itself at Bull and Broughton. It was the second reported time, with the first being in 1939.</p>
<p><strong>1951</strong>: The parade again overlaps itself at Bull and Broughton. The mass time was 9:30, moving back from earlier years when the mass started as late as 11:00 a.m.</p>
<p><strong>1952</strong>: This year marked the debut of the parade’s signature tune, “It’s St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah,” written by Aloysius “Al” J. Handiboe Sr. The song was sung in front of the reviewing stand by Eddie Daly. The mass time was 9 a.m., moving back yet another ½ hour.</p>
<p><strong>1953</strong>: The parade route was changed to prevent an overlap at Bull and Broughton. The only crossover point was at Bull and Liberty streets, which would require the parade to be over 42 blocks long for overlap to happen. The parade was also filmed by Paramount News.</p>
<p><strong>1955</strong>: Many bands, both local and out-of-town, had joined the celebration over the years but this was the first year the band from The Citadel marched. It was also the first appearance of the local Shrine band and local Alee Temple units.</p>
<p><strong>1956</strong>: The 100th St. Patrick’s Day parade celebrated, even though it technically wasn’t the 100th parade. Word of mouth through the years had declared the 1856 parade the first. The parade committee planned accordingly. This was also the first year that the parade passed in review in front of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the clergy of the city. It was the year that some visiting bands were sprayed with green ink by “unwanted spectators.</p>
<p><strong>1957</strong>: In response to the green ink incident of the previous year, four rules given to govern spectators:</p>
<p>First, anyone caught would a water pistol along the line of march would be arrested.</p>
<p>Second: The west boundary of the parade was moved from W. Broad (now MLK Blvd.) to Montgomery St. to allow a north-south route through the city.</p>
<p>Third: “Rest stops” along the route would be reduced or eliminated.</p>
<p>Fourth: Motorcycle police would ride between units and spectators to keep the two separated and to assist plain clothes officer spot any attempts at vandalism or mischief.</p>
<p><strong>1958</strong>: Due to the disappearance of traditional sashes worn by previous marshals and aides, new ones were made. It is also appears to be the first year the parade was televised live by WSAV from the corner of Bull and Broughton.</p>
<p><strong>1959</strong>: For years, the U.S. Marine Band from Parris Island had served as the “Grand Marshal’s Band.” As a result, it was the first band in the parade. This year, Ft. Stewart invoked military protocol, dictating that the U.S. Army should be the first unit in all parades in which it participates. The Army would not march if this condition wasn’t met. The band was placed behind the Grand Marshal. They did not march but rather rode in jeeps. The public schools excused their students for the day for the first time.</p>
<p><strong>1961</strong>: For the first time since 1938, co-marshals, Eugene G. Butler and Mickey Dooley, were named. An attempt was made to dye the Savannah River green. The river ended up with streaks of green rather than being turned completely green. The day was also marred by arrests due to racial incidents.</p>
<p><strong>1962</strong>: Former President Harry S Truman attended the parade. He was also spoke at the annual Hibernians banquet. The sermon at that day’s mass was delivered by a newly arrived Irish priest, the Rev. J. Kevin Boland. He will later become Bishop of Savannah.</p>
<p><strong>1965</strong>: A new Irish organization, Sinn Fein Society , was organized. The membership was to be limited to 25. The group began the tradition of an early morning breakfast with green grits as the centerpiece accompanied by the “morning dew,” aka Irish whiskey.</p>
<p><strong>1966</strong>: Of note this particular year is the fact that attendance at the pre-parade mass had dropped to an all-time low.</p>
<p><strong>1967</strong>: After forming the parade on Bay (area of Bull and Whitaker), Oglethorpe Ave. (then S. Broad St.), at St. Patrick’s Church on W. Broad and Liberty, in the vicinity of the Cathedral, on Abercorn and Harris, the newest staging area became Forsyth Park. The move was made to facilitate the growing parking problem. It also allowed WTOC to televise the parade for those who could not attend. It was also the year that Monsignor T. James McNamara became the first clergyman selected Grand Marshal.</p>
<p><strong>1970</strong>: Jimmy Carter rode in this parade. He would be elected governor of Georgia later in the year.</p>
<p><strong>1971</strong>: USS Savannah sails up the Savannah River as part to the festivities. Savannah is a multi-purpose ship and the fifth named for the city. The Clydesdales make their first appearance in the parade. The first Grand Marshal Medal was presented. As each year, the marshal was required to pass on the sash of office, the parade committee decided to cast a medal that would be presented each year to the outgoing marshal as proof of his service.</p>
<p><strong>1972</strong>: Earlier in the year, George Doerner arranged “It’s St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah” as a march and sent copies to all participating bands. The Jesup Junior High School Band was the first to play it. The first float since 1940 was entered by Beaufort High School. And spectators made it difficult for some units to pass. Beach High School had to drop out completely.</p>
<p><strong>1973</strong>: Tradition of having a chaplain started. The Rev. Joseph F. Ware assisted grand marshal Aloysius “Al” Handiboe Jr. The Fenian Society was formed by men who had lived in the area of Troup Square. In October, the Irish Heritage Society was formed.</p>
<p><strong>1974</strong>: Lt. Gov. Lester Maddox rides his bike backwards in the parade. Bishop Raymond Lessard presided at his first St. Patrick’s Day Mass.</p>
<p><strong>1975</strong>: This year proved to be a difficult one concerning drunken revelers. They blocked the parade route in the area of Bay and Habersham. Due to the rowdies, the local parochial schools were pulled from future parades.</p>
<p><strong>1976</strong>: The Adjutant’s Committee wore green, white, and orange baseball caps to allow easy identification. The parade is broadcast live for the first time by two TV stations: WTOC on Abercorn and WJCL from Lerner’s on Bull and Broughton.</p>
<p><strong>1977</strong>: The revitalization of River Street is completed. The project was dedicated in June. This would cause the celebration to explode as the years pass.</p>
<p><strong>1978</strong>: President Jimmy Carter addressed the Hibernian banquet and made a quick visit to Pinkie Master’s lounge. Carter did this to pay tribute to the bar owner who had passed away in 1977. Pinkie had been a supporter of Carter since the ‘60s during his first run for governor. The spot on the bar where he stood has been marked with a plaque. Yet another Irish organization, Clan Na Erin, was formed later in the year.</p>
<p><strong>1979</strong>: U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell speaks at the Hibernian Banquet.</p>
<p><strong>1980</strong>: “The Days We Celebrate” by William Fogarty is published. The first St. Patrick’s Day Celebrity Ball is held.</p>
<p><strong>1982</strong>: A police officer is stabbed trying to break up a fight on River Street. Shriners refuse to march after the parade committee asks them to cut the number of units.</p>
<p><strong>1983</strong>: “Erin Go Bare” becomes the unofficial motto as young women go topless on River Street. Use of video cameras and arrests in subsequent years stifles future demonstrations.</p>
<p>On December 3, the Celtic Cross monument is dedicated in Emmett Park.</p>
<p><strong>1986</strong>: The annual wreath laying at the Celtic Cross begins.</p>
<p>Flaming grits catch the tablecloth on fire at the annual Sinn Fein breakfast.</p>
<p>Barry Goldwater speaks to the 174th meeting of the Hibernian Society. He responded to the toast, “To the United States of America.”</p>
<p><strong>1996</strong>: David John Kelsey Jr., an Emory University student, falls into the Savannah River and drowns during river Street festivities on March 16.</p>
<p><strong>1997</strong>: Monsignor Daniel J. Bourke is the second clergyman chosen as grand marshal.</p>
<p><strong>1999</strong>: City council agrees to control access to River Street with temporary fencing and require alcohol drinkers to buy wristbands. Plan is aimed at improving safety and controlling the rowdy atmosphere. Last year for plastic 32-ounce “to-go” cups.</p>
<p><strong>2000</strong>: Parade route shortened from 2.5 miles to 2 miles. Parade entries decreased from 315 to about 250. The idea is to make the parade easier on those marching and those watching. First year for smaller “to-go” cups. The plastic cups, used for outdoor drinking, were reduced from 32 to 16 ounces after 1999 parade.</p>
<p><strong>2001</strong>: Parade route changed slightly to go left around Lafayette Square.</p>
<p><strong>2002</strong>: The Shriners are invited to include some of their numbers. They refuse to cut the number of units and don’t march. Portions of Bay Street are closed on Friday and Saturday nights to facilitate public safety.</p>
<p><strong>2003</strong>: The Shriners again refuse to march if their numbers are limited.</p>
<p>With most of the local military deployed to Kuwait, family member march in their place.</p>
<p><strong>2004</strong>: The Savannah Waterfront Association threatens not to gate River St. and hosting the yearly party. After some tense negotiations with the city, the association agrees to business as usual. The parade is marred by an accident caused by an out-of-control car driving through parade participants and onlookers in Wright Square. The Rev. Joseph Ware becomes the third clergyman to lead the parade when he is selected Grand Marshal with no opposition.</p>
<p><strong>2005</strong>: Shriners return to the parade with a smaller number of units.</p>
<p><strong>2006</strong>: Cameras are used to monitor illicit activities.</p>
<p><strong>2007</strong>: The city tries to limit partying by stating folks cannot camp out in squares until 3 p.m. the day before the parade, no tables or tents can be set up until 6 a.m. the day of the parade, coolers are restricted until the same time and tents cannot be larger than 10 x 10 feet. The city also adds metal barriers to parts of the parade route in an attempt to control the crowds. Police utilize 3-wheeled scooters for faster response to problems.</p>
<p><strong>2008</strong>: The parade is held March 14 as the 17 is Monday of Holy Week.</p>
<p>The city attempts to require permits for spots in squares on the parade route. After outcry from families and others, the city backs off but stands by the no camping in the square the night before. People will have to wait until 6 a.m. the morning of the parade to claim their spot. More metal barriers are added to corner of East Broad and East Bay streets. A bomb scare occurs on the day of the parade turned to nothing. A blackout on Saturday night at the peak of drinking causing the police to evacuate all of downtown.</p>
<p><strong>2009</strong>: The city tries to calm the rowdiness by proposing to limit beer sales. They also want to remove the gates from River Street. The council later relents and allows alcohol sales until 3 a.m. They remove the gates but continue the sale of wristbands to allow people to carry to-go cups.</p>
<p><strong>2010</strong>: The Naval Band Southeast, out of the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, leaves the parade after a parade official made repeated request for them to cease performing routines.</p>
<p><strong>2011</strong>: A YouTube video of a metro police officer trying to arrest people with was trying to arrest people involved in a fight goes viral. The officer is placed on leave while the case is investigated. The case is resolved when the two women involve agree to community service and to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The man involved faced felony charges.</p>
<p><strong>2012</strong>: Snakes are banned from parade.</p>
<p>Grand Marshal Tim Ansley selects his sister, Collette Sego, as one of his aides, the first woman so honored. (A previous Grand Marshal had selected his sister as an honorary aide.)</p>
<p>Near the end of the parade route, Second Time Arounders Marching Band drummer Rick Sowers dies from an apparent heart attack.</p>
<p><strong>2013</strong>: Will be the 189th march. The festival zone is expanded from River Street south to Broughton between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and East Broad Street. Wristbands will be required by those carrying to-go cups in that area. Some exceptions are made.</p>
<p>The St. Patrick's Day Committee tell the group, Our Nation's Firefighters, they cannot march as they had violated the 'no alcohol in the line of march.' rule.</p>
<p>Compiled by Julia C. Muller</p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<p>“The Days We’ve Celebrated” by William L. Fogarty</p>
<p>Savannah Morning News files</p>
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SavannahWilliam L. Fogarty
SavannahMon, 25 Feb 2013 16:08:57 +0000Julia Muller1024666 at http://savannahnow.comTIMELINE: Imperial Sugar explosion from 2008 until todayhttp://savannahnow.com/news/2013-02-10/timeline-imperial-sugar-explosion-2008-until-today
<p>Timeline of Savannah Foods and Industries, Inc.</p><p>Early History</p><p>July 1917: Savannah Sugar Refining Corporation begins operations. They produce 'Dixie Crystals' sugar.</p><p>August 16, 1924: Benjamin Oxnard, Savannah Sugar's first president, dies. William S. Pardonner is named the second president.</p><p>December 16, 1929: Pardonner resigns the presidency. Benjamin Oxnard Sprague is selected as the third president.</p><p>January 31, 1944: Benjamin O. Sprague dies. Thomas Oxnard takes over as president.</p><p>January 1958: A barge called "Dixie Crystal" is launched to transport liquid sugar form Savannah to terminals at Wilmington, N. C. starting in March. Mrs. C. W. Hackett, the first employee of the refinery, christened the barge. Others present are Mr. Hackett, W. W. Sprague, Bernard F. Diamond (president of the company that built the barge), and Thomas Oxnard.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1960's</p><p>1960: Supply of raw sugar from Cuba is cut off. The refinery compensates by boosting its use of Florida raw sugar.</p><p>1961: Thomas Oxnard becomes Chairman of the Board. Lawton Calhoun becomes the fifth president.</p><p>1964: Opens Everglades Sugar Refinery in Clewiston, Florida. The sugar brand is 'Evercane'.</p><p>1968: Western Grain Company of Birmingham Alabama, also known as Jim Dandy Co., is acquired.&nbsp;</p><p>March 1969: The Sugar Refinery and the Jim Dandy Co. open their new liquid feed facility at the Port Wentworth plant.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1970's</p><p>1970: Company name is changed to Savannah Foods &amp; Industries, Inc.</p><p>July 1, 1972: Lawton Calhoun retires. William Wallace Sprague, Jr. becomes sixth president. Robert Oxnard Sprague becomes chairman of the board.</p><p>1975: Transales Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Savannah Foods, begins operations.</p><p>1979: Begins to export refined sugar.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1980's</p><p>1980: Western Grain Company /'Jim Dandy' sold off.</p><p>1980: Makes first appearance at number 472 on Fortune Magazine 500 largest American companies.&nbsp;</p><p>November 1980: Acquire Sunaid Food Products. Renamed Sunaid of Florida, Inc.</p><p>May 1984: Buys Michigan Sugar, a producer and marketer of beet sugar.&nbsp;</p><p>October 1984: U. S. Senator Sam Nunn present the U. S. Senate's Productivity Award.</p><p>1985: New boiler put on-line</p><p>April 1985: Great Lakes Sugar Company is acquired.</p><p>1986: Colonial Sugar is acquired.</p><p>May 1987: Sells Atlantic Towing, founded in 1920, to employees of ATCO. It is sold in 1990 to Turecamo.</p><p>April 1988: Ranked as number 347 on the Fortune 500.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1990</p><p>March: Endow the Dixie Crystals Professorship at Georgia Southern College (now University).&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1991</p><p>July: Donates 27,000 pounds of sugar and salt to Bangladesh through AmeriCares, a New Canaan, Connecticut, relief group. The mixture is used to make oral rehydration therapy for the victims of the disaster.</p><p>September: Purchases South Coast Sugars of Raceland, Louisiana. It is renamed Raceland Sugar.</p><p>October: Transales Corp. phased out. Another subsidiary, Savannah Foodservice, expands.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1992</p><p>October: Common Stock begins trading on New York Stock Exchange. It had been traded on NASDAQ.</p><p>November: The Bass Group, an investment group in Fort Worth, Texas, announces it owns 5 % of Savannah Foods.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1993</p><p>January: W. W. Sprague, Jr. steps down as president and becomes chairman and CEO. W. W. Sprague, III becomes seventh president.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1994</p><p>June: Savannah Foods makes a pact with a Mexican business group for three joint ventures: Technological and production assistance, packaging and marketing venture and new technology and development of a new refined sweetener product.</p><p>June: There is a 2% reduction in the work force at the Westside refinery. Nine of 450 employees are laid off.</p><p>November: Threatens to leave if the city of Savannah proceeds with a plan to change the way it assesses business taxes.</p><p>December: W. W. Sprague, Jr. announces retirement as CEO and chairman. W. W. Sprague, III becomes CEO and president.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1995</p><p>November: Announces first annual earning loss in 50 years. Two vice presidents are fired. Price loss is 13 cents per share. The loss is blamed on the high cost of raw sugar.</p><p>December: A strike at a Dixie Crystal packaging plant in Ohio affects the local plant. Since the local plant is taking up the slack from the Ohio plant, the strikers threaten to expand the strike to the Savannah plant. The strike ends later in the month.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1996</p><p>February: First quarter reports that the company is overcoming the loss sustained in the last quarter of 1995.</p><p>March: New product design unveiled.</p><p>April: Install a canister production line to produce its new Quick 'n Sweet product line. R. Eugene Cartledge is elected chairman, a position vacant since W. W. Sprague, Jr.'s retirement in 1994.</p><p>April: Sells Raceland Sugar plant in Louisiana. It is not as profitable as expected. The money generated is used for debt reduction and investments.&nbsp;</p><p>November: One year later, Savannah Foods is reporting that it is in the black for the last quarter. The final tally was 35 cents per share compared with 14 cents per share in the same quarter of 1995.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1997</p><p>January: The company posted net income of $9.14 million for the previous three months.&nbsp;</p><p>April: The company posted its highest March quarter earnings on record. The earning for the quarter were $8.82 million. The same period the previous year a loss of $2.04 million was reported.</p><p>July 15: Savannah Foods and Florida Crystals, a subsidiary of Flo-Sun, announce a proposed merger of the two companies. The merger is expected to be complete in October. Savannah Foods would no longer be a Savannah company as the headquarters for the unnamed company would be located in Palm Beach, FL. </p><p>July 16: A quarterly dividend of 3.75 cents per share was announced.</p><p>July 22: A report filed with the Security and Exchange commission reveals that Savannah Foods will pay Florida Crystals $5 million on top of up to $3 million if the merger falls through.</p><p>July 25: Savannah Food shareholders file a lawsuit to stop the proposed merger.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>August 26: Imperial Holly makes a competing bid for the company. Their proposal is characterized as an acquisition rather than a merger.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>September: Savannah Foods gives Flo-Sun until midnight, September 11, to best the proposal made by Imperial Holly. Flo-Sun opts out of the deal saying besting the counteroffer is not economically justifiable for the company. Imperial Holly's bid satisfies investor, analysts, and some top company employees. Imperial Holly will acquire the company for a value of $20.25 a share in cash and stock. The offer expires at midnight on October 16. The company also gets to keep its name.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>October: Reports show William W. Sprague III's five-year contract allows him a severance package of at least $2.26 million.</p><p> Also, according to recent filings with the SEC, it is revealed that Savannah Foods had been seeking a partner for more than a year.</p><p>October 16: Shareholders agree to sell 88.1 percent of the company stock to Imperial Holly. 50.1 percent was all that Imperial Holly needed to gain control of the company.</p><p>October 24: Half of Savannah Foods' 12-member board of directors resigned giving Imperial Holly seven seats on an expanded, 13-member board.</p><p>December: Savannah Foods withdraws sponsorship of the Sugar City Holiday Classic basketball tournament. The company had been a main sponsor for eight years.</p><p>December 19: Shareholders made the acquisition by Imperial Holly official. The company retains its name but will be operated as a subsidiary.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1998</p><p>February 2: Savannah Foods lays off 35 people. It constituted about 5 percent of the 750-member workforce.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1999</p><p>September 30: William Sprague III, the Savannah Foods president who backed its 1997 buyout by Imperial Holly Corp., resigns.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2000</p><p>March: Imperial Sugar reports a net loss of $5 million for the second quarter. The loss would have been $9.4 million without gains from the company's continued selling of its marketable securities.</p><p>June: Imperial Sugar posts a loss of $6.4 million in their third quarter.</p><p>July: Moody's Investors Service downgrades Imperial Sugar's senior implied bond rating to B2.</p><p>December: &nbsp;Imperial announces they are considering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2001</p><p>January 14: Imperial Sugar's deadline for paying $12.2 million in interest on a $250 million loan.</p><p>January 16: Files for Chapter 11.</p><p>January 17: Receives approval for part of its bankruptcy filing from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. The court approved an interim financing plan that will provide the money needed to pay bills and employees.</p><p>February 21: The company will sell its Diamond Crystal Brands division to Hormel Foods Corp. for $65 million as part of a plan to reduce debt that drove the sugar refiner into bankruptcy.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2002</p><p>December 3: Imperial Sugar Co. announces it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Hormel for the sale of Diamond Crystal Brand. The sale is completed in January.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2003: Moves the downtown offices to the plant in Port Wentworth.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2007: Celebrates 90th anniversary.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2008</p><p>Feb. 7: Explosion at plant. Eight bodies are eventually recovered from the site as many others are injured. The more seriously burned are sent to Augusta's Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital.&nbsp;</p><p>Feb. 14: A ninth victim is claimed.</p><p>Feb. 15: The cause of the explosion is determined to be sugar dust-fueled in a basement below two of the silos. State Rep. Bob Bryant, D-Garden City calls for tougher rules to prevent similar disasters.</p><p>And two families with close and historical links to the plant, the Spragues and Oxnards, donate $250,000 through their Chatham Foundation to the United Way of the Coastal Empire for the victims and their families.</p><p>Feb. 16: The first funerals for the victims are held.&nbsp;</p><p>Feb 17: Gerald Schantz hosts a BBQ to raise money for the victims' families. The event raises almost $22,000.</p><p>Feb. 18: Imperial Sugar's CEO John Sheptor states that the plant will be rebuilt.</p><p>Feb. 21: Imperial Sugar executives meet with Gov. Sonny Perdue to request financial assistance for the responders, the community, and Memorial University Medical Center.</p><p>Feb. 23: A community-wide memorial service is held for the victims of the explosion. And even as the event goes on, the 10th and 11th deaths are recorded at the burn center.</p><p>Feb. 25: The first of the injured sent to Augusta is released from the hospital.&nbsp;</p><p>Feb. 26: The number of fatalities goes to 12 as another person dies.</p><p>Feb. 27: Applications to assist families begin. The fund has grown to almost $630,000.</p><p>Mar. 3: The U.S. Department of Labor sends a top investigator to inspect the ruins of the plant. Another victim is released from the burn center.</p><p>Mar. 7: State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine rolls out rules focusing on vacuuming and ventilation to help prevent other dust related fires/explosions.</p><p>Mar. 12: At a hearing in Washington chaired by &nbsp; U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., he zeros in on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and their lack of progress on dust control in plants like Imperial Sugar. Miller is co-sponsoring a bill with U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-GA.</p><p>Mar. 14: A 13th victim is claimed.</p><p>Mar. 17: Imperial shuts down the powdered sugar area of the Gramercy, La. Plant after inspectors find potential hazards there.</p><p>Also, Raquel Isles files a lawsuit against Stokes Contracting, the company hired to clean sugar dust at the plant.</p><p>Mar. 20: Another victim is released from the burn center. Most are continuing treatment locally.</p><p>Mar. 21: Sheptor gives the media the first tour since the explosion. 225 employees are back at work.</p><p>Mar. 25: OSHA assesses Imperial Sugar's Gramercy, La. plant $36,000 in fines and penalties. The company plans to appeal.</p><p>Mar. 30: A 'sugar run' motorcycle event raises more than $12,000 for the victims and their families.</p><p>Apr. 8: Two more burn victims are moved to the rehab unit.</p><p>Apr. 9: A bill targeting sugar dust moves forward in the U.S. House.</p><p>Apr. 10: Burn and Blast Conference for Industry is held to share information learned from the explosion with other first responders, fire departments, and industries in the area.</p><p>Apr. 11: Two more burn victims are released. At this point, four patients are left with 2 others in the rehab unit.</p><p>Apr. 17: The announcement is made that the decision is officially made to rebuild the destroyed parts of the plant.</p><p>Apr. 23: John Bresland, chairman of the Chemical Safety Board, tours the plant.</p><p>Apr. 28: A second lawsuit is filed. This one is against Savannah Foods &amp; Industries as well as Stokes Contracting.</p><p>Apr. 30: The anti-dust bill is passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.&nbsp;</p><p>May 4: Another patient is released from the burn center.</p><p>May 12: Imperial Sugar releases its earnings for the second quarter. They take a $15.5 million loss with a 32% drop in revenue.</p><p>June 4: A noose is found hanging from a riverside dock at the plant. It is not known if the device was an intimidation tool or just a rope to catch alligators.</p><p>June 16: Employees begin studies at Savannah Technical College to learn the latest industrial practices for the plant when it resumes full production.&nbsp;</p><p>June 24: Wrecking balls begin the demolition of the burned silos in preparation of the rebuilding of the plant.</p><p>July 22: The rebuild plans are presented to the board of directors.</p><p>July 25: OSHA hits Imperil Sugar with up to $5.1 million in fines and possible criminal charges stemming from the explosion. A fine of $3.7 million is assessed against the plant in Gramercy, La.</p><p>July 27: Former Harlem Globetrotters organized by Savannah native Tyrone "Hollywood" Brown play a charity game to benefit the United Way fund. The event raised $5,000.</p><p>July 29: Graham H. Graham testifies before a U.S. Senate panel that Imperial's executives knew of the piles of sugar and the danger they presented. He says he was told to 'temper' his concerns.</p><p>July 30: The company suffers 3rd quarter net loss of $12.5 million compared to a gain of $11.4 million the previous year.</p><p>Aug. 1: A benefit ball is held to raise funds for a monument to be built at the plant.</p><p>Aug. 7: The Savannah Tech training is completed. Sheptor is on hand for a "graduation" ceremony.</p><p>Aug. 8: John Sheptor denies that he discouraged Graham from trying to make the plant safer.</p><p>Aug. 15: One more victim heads home from the Still Burn Center. Two victims are left in critical condition.</p><p>Aug. 22: The 14th victim is claimed. Malcolm Frazier succumbs to his injuries.</p><p>Sept. 10: Legal tangling begins as lawyers argue over the number of depositions to be allowed in the 10 lawsuits pending. Imperial wants the depositions consolidated and the opposition doesnít want "information control" by the defense.</p><p>Sept. 11: Chatham County State Court Judge Hermann Coolidge rules that the lawyers cooperate and allow depositions in all cases. He also took under study a request to block a deposition by Ken Diaz, a Gramercy employee who never worked in Savannah.</p><p>Oct. 8, 2008: A groundbreaking is held for the construction of the new silos. Company officials also say a memorial to the victims of the blast will be unveiled on the one-year anniversary.</p><p>Oct. 13, 2008: The investigation into the noose found on June 4 proves inconclusive.</p><p>Oct. 17, 2008: The refinery accepts delivery of an 88,000-pound granulator that dries and cools sugar. Also, unrelated to the local refinery, Imperial considers a joint venture with Louisiana Sugar Refinery LLC to build and operate a plant on its Gramercy site.</p><p>Oct. 22, 2008: Senator Saxby Chambliss is subpoenaed by lawyers of four victims to provide evidence. Because of his past support from Imperial, the lawyers believe he badgered Graham H. Graham in an attempt to shift blame. The testimony is delayed until after the November elections. Despite that delay, Chambliss claims as a U.S. Senator, he does not have to comply with the subpoena.</p><p>Oct. 24, 2008: Groves High School retires victim Tony Thomas' number 00 jersey during their homecoming game.</p><p>Nov. 1, 2008: Savannah State University honors burn victim Lawrence Manker, Jr. with an athletic scholarship to pay for the rest of his college career.</p><p>Nov. 11, 2008: The Georgia Medical Society presents Memorial University Medical Center with a Healthcare Hero award in connection with their efforts during the explosion.</p><p>Nov. 19, 2008: Ground is broken for a new packaging warehouse. The 75,000-square-foot facility should be completed by next summer. At the event, John Sheptor defended Chambliss saying, "behaved appropriately with character and integrity at all times."</p><p>Nov. 20, 2008: Labor Unions condemn Chambliss' resistance to testify in lawsuits against Imperial.</p><p>Nov. 24, 2008: The first load of liquid sugar is sent out for delivery.</p><p>Dec. 15, 2008: Imperial releases it 2009 fiscal earnings report. It shows a loss of over $60 million after the fire and explosion of the Savannah plant.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2009</p><p>Jan. 6: Imperial Sugar victim Shameir Frasier speaks at a rally held to encourage the Georgia Assembly to create a permanent funding arrangement for the state's trauma centers.</p><p>Jan. 26: Victim Lawrence Manker, Jr. is introduced on the floor of the Georgia Senate.</p><p>Feb. 5: Whistle-blower Graham Graham quits as vice president of operations for Imperial Sugar and drops his federal employment discrimination complaint against the company. The company also reports it lowest quarterly loss since the fire and explosion.</p><p>Feb. 6: CEO John Sheptor speaks at a Joseph M. Still Burn symposium about the company's response to the injured of the explosion. The Georgia Legislature observes a moment of silence as the first anniversary approaches.</p><p>Feb. 7: First anniversary of the explosion and fire. As part of the day, Legacy Park on the grounds of the Port Wentworth plant is dedicated. The monument contains 14 black stones with the names of the 14 people lost etched in gold writing.</p><p>Feb. 10: A ceremony organized by the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire is held to honor the police, firefighters, and paramedics for their response to the blast.</p><p>Mar. 10: A hearing is held on whether or not U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss can be required to give evidence in lawsuits filed against Imperial Sugar. The subpoena is squashed.</p><p>March: New storage silos begin to rise over the plant.</p><p>Mar. 27: Attorney Mark Tate says he is inviting U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson to testify voluntarily concerning the explosion and aftermath. Isakson declines.</p><p>April: OSHA continues it press against the company for safety violations. There are claims that Imperial knew of the dust hazards before the tragedy. Meanwhile, Imperial outlines its 'commitment to safety' in response to the knowledge of dust hazards. Spokesman Steve Behm said while the reports were received two days before the disaster, they were not "reviewed" until afterwards. Also, lawyers for the victims file to set aside a confidentiality order and allow previous depositions to be made public. And the continuing saga with former vice president Graham Graham, the company claims Graham lied. Graham counters with the emails warning of a possible disaster on his computer were removed. And OSHA begins creating comprehensive rules concerning the dangerous sugar-dust dangers.</p><p>May: Imperial Sugar begins its own investigation into the deadly explosion and fire. They appoint two "independent and disinterested" individuals. Lawyers for the victims say they two have stock in Imperial and therefore cannot be impartial.</p><p>June 16: The plant is ready to start refining sugar again.</p><p>July 25: One year later, OSHA's case against Imperial is no further along. The $8.8 million in fines are still pending.</p><p>July 28: The U.S. Chemical Safety Board releases a video in which they criticized the practiced of using compressed air to clean equipment.</p><p>Aug. 14: A memorial sculpture is unveiled at Legacy Park. The sculpture is tow large bronze hands atop a granite boulder releasing 14 doves to the sky.</p><p>Sept. 24: The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board released the findings of its investigation. They conclude that the accident was "entirely preventable, and the deaths and injuries ... should not have happened." The report prompts U.S. Rep. John Barrow to push the legislation on sugar dust rules.</p><p>October: Imperial tries to use a complex legal argument that workers' compensation bars it from being sue by or on the behalf of workers killed in the 2008 explosion. And the feds start the process to set dust rule in place. Meanwhile, federal attorneys win the right to questions current and former Imperial Sugar officials under oath.</p><p>November: The plant is ready to begin full operations again. At the same time, the company is mum on its own investigation into the disaster.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2010</p><p>Feb. 7: Family and community gather to commemorate the anniversary of the explosion.</p><p>Feb. 17: Combustible dust hearings are held in Atlanta to determine ways to reduce the hazards that likely caused the refinery explosion.</p><p>Mar. 30: Eighteen cases against Imperial Sugar have been settled to date.</p><p>May: OSHA fines Imperial $8.8 million. Settlement discussions are held between the company and feds.&nbsp;</p><p>July: A settlement agreement is made. Imperial will pay $6 million but admits no fault.&nbsp;</p><p>August: Remaining lawsuits move forward with a pair of rulings by Judge Hermann Coolidge saying the issues can go before juries. An appeal of the rulings are denied in September.</p><p>September: Imperial applies for a five-year exemption from paying property taxes citing productivity changes. The request is denied in October.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2011</p><p>January: U.S. Rep. John Barrow introduces legislation that would force a crackdown on combustible dust.&nbsp;</p><p>August: Imperial's insurer goes to court to have them removed from pending lawsuits. Zurich Service Corp. states they conducted property risk assessment but were not required to conduct safety inspections and had no legal duty to do so.</p><p>December: Lawrence Manker's lawsuit is settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2011</p><p>February: As the anniversary of the explosion is remembered, rules governing combustible dust still lag and Imperial fights with its insurers over the preemptive lawsuit filed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2012</p><p>May 1: Agribusiness Louis Dreyfus Commodities announces they will acquire Imperial Sugar.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Researched and compiled by Julia C. Muller</p><p>Sources: Savannah Morning News files; "How Sweet It Is: The Story of Dixie Crystals and Savannah Foods" by Arthur Gordon</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>EXPLOSION VICTIMS</p><p>1. Michael B. "Big Mike" Williams, 51, of Savannah.</p><p>2. Earl Quarterman, 55, of Savannah.</p><p>3. Eric Barnes, 56, of Savannah.</p><p>4. Truitt Byers, 54, of Savannah.</p><p>5. Earl Johnson, 56, of Savannah.</p><p>6. Byron Singleton, 26, of Ellabell.</p><p>7. Michael Kelly Fields, 40, of Rincon.</p><p>8. Tony Thomas, 50, of Garden City.</p><p>9. Shelathia Harvey, 31, of Hinesville.</p><p>10. John Butler Jr., 33, of Savannah.</p><p>11. McKinley "Von" Habersham Sr., 30, of Savannah.</p><p>12. Alphonso Fields Sr., 54, of Savannah.</p><p>13. Patricia Proctor, 45, of Savannah.&nbsp;</p><p>14. Malcolm Frazier, 47, of Savannah.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://savannahnow.com/news/2013-02-10/timeline-imperial-sugar-explosion-2008-until-today#commentsNewsJulia MullerImperial SugarBusinessEducationHealthLaborLawPoliticsReligionSocial IssuesTechnologyWarClewistonFort WorthGramercyNew CanaanRacelandWilmingtonATCOCoastalColonial SugarFloFlorida CrystalsFlorida Inc.Great Lakes Sugar CompanyHormel Foods Corp.Imperial Holly Corp.Imperial Sugar Co.Jim Dandy Co.Moody's Investors ServiceNew York Stock ExchangePALM BEACHSavannah Foods & IndustriesSavannah Foods & Industries Inc.Savannah Foods and Industries Inc.Savannah Sugar Refining Corp.SunThe Bass GroupThe Sugar RefineryTransales Corp.Western Grain CompanyAcquisitionBangladeshBankruptcyBankruptcy CourtBenjamin O. SpragueBenjamin OxnardBenjamin Oxnard SpragueBernard F. DiamondBirmingham AlabamaBusinessBuys Michigan SugarC. W. HackettcentCEOCEO and chairmanCEO and presidentchairmanchairman and CEOchairman of the boardCompany AffiliatesCompany Earnings AnnouncementCompany FoundedCompany Legal IssuesCompany LocationConnecticutCredit RatingCrystal BrandsCubaDelawareDividendDixie CrystalsEducationEmployment ChangeFloridaFood and drinkFortune MagazineforwardGeography of GeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgia Southern CollegeGraham H. GrahamHealthImperial SugarJohn BarrowJOHN SHEPTORLaborLawLouisianaMan Made DisasterMemorial University Medical CenterMergerNorth CarolinaNS SavannahOccupational Safety and Health AdministrationOhioOhio plantOpens Everglades Sugar Refineryoral rehydration therapyOxnard, CaliforniaPerson AttributesPerson CareerPerson LocationPoliticsPort WentworthPort Wentworth plantPort Wentworth, Georgiapresidentpresident , diesProducerQuotationR. Eugene CartledgeReligionRobert Oxnard SpragueSam NunnSavannah metropolitan areaSavannah Morning NewsSavannah plantSavannah State UniversitySaxby ChamblissSells Raceland Sugar plantSocial IssuesSugarSugar refinerySweetenersTechnologyTexasThe plantThe refineryThomas OxnardU.S. Securities and Exchange CommissionUN CourtUnited States SenateUSDvice presidentsW. W. Sprague , IIIW. W. Sprague , Jr.WarWestside refineryWilliam S. PardonnerWilliam Sprague IIIWilliam Wallace Sprague , Jr.Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:20:01 +0000Julia Muller1023418 at http://savannahnow.comSLIDESHOW: The Slaying of Ashleigh Moorehttp://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2012-11-16/slideshow-slaying-ashleigh-moore
<p>The abduction and slaying of 12-year-old Ashleigh Moore by Bobby Lavon Buckner in 2003 easily ranks as one of the highest-profile crimes in Savannah history, with the killer's ultimate fate still in limbo nearly a decade later.</p>
<p><a href="http://savannahnow.com/slideshow/slideshows/2012-11-15/slaying-ashleigh-moore" target="_blank"><strong>Click here to view a slideshow of Savannah Morning News coverage of the&nbsp;case.</strong></a></p>
http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2012-11-16/slideshow-slaying-ashleigh-moore#commentsLatest NewsJulia MullerAshleigh MooreBobby Lavon BucknerCAPTCHACDATAGeography of GeorgiaGeography of the United StatesGeorgiaPerson AttributesSavannah Morning NewsSavannah Morning NewsSavannah RiverSavannah, GeorgiaXMLFri, 16 Nov 2012 14:23:43 +0000Julia Muller1015949 at http://savannahnow.comCrowds steady for voting at Central Church of Christ http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2012-11-06/crowds-steady-voting-central-church-christ
<p>At about 10:55 a.m., voter turnout was steady and it took about 45 minutes to get through the line to vote.</p>
<p>Older voters unable to stand very long were pushed toward the front. The crowd was patient and chatting quietly while they waited.</p>
<p>It appeared the poll manager was trying to add a sixth voting station for less wait time.</p>
<p><strong>Visit <a href="http://savannahnow.com/elections">savannahnow.com/elections</a> for continuous updates throughout election day.</strong></p>
http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2012-11-06/crowds-steady-voting-central-church-christ#commentsLatest NewsJulia MullerCAPTCHACDATAComputingElectionsmanagerSavannah Morning NewsVoter turnoutXMLTue, 06 Nov 2012 17:37:34 +0000Julia Muller1015068 at http://savannahnow.com